Budget airline, easyJet, has found itself facing criticism over its wheelchair policy. The carrier says it will not take wheelchairs on to its aircraft if they exceed a maximum of 60kg after they have had the batteries taken off.

According to muscular dystrophy campaign group, Trailblazer, this limit means that most powered wheelchairs, which weigh substantially more than this without their batteries, are not permitted onto easyJet flights.

The airline has defended its position by pointing out that health and safety restrictions mean it cannot asks its baggage handlers to lift objects over a certain weight. An easyJet spokesman said the carrier only operated short-haul flights and therefore did not have the machinery or aircraft other airlines, which were used to carrying cargo, might have.

The spokesman added that he would like to make it clear, as well as apologise to passengers who may have been misinformed, that easyJet does not refuse wheelchairs which weigh more than 60kg, as long as they can be dismantled into parts weighing no more than 60 kg each. He added that the airline’s website was now clear on the matter, as were staff working in call centres.

Rival budget carrier, Ryanair, says that it has no weight restrictions on wheelchairs, but admits that there are some size limits. British Airways allows passengers to take two wheelchairs onto its flights and said it got around any weight issues by getting extra staff to pitch in with the lifting of wheelchairs on and off its aircraft.